Collateral control by tape slack



Aug. 11, 1942. L. M. POTTS 2,292,404

COLLATERAL CONTROL BY TAPE SLACK Original Filed Sept. 19, 1929 a: O E i LL. 3 g

'2 INVENTOR.

LOUIS M. POTTS Patented Aug. 11, 1942 COLLATERAL CONTROL BY TAPE SLACK Louis M. Potts, Evanston, 111., assignmto Teletype Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Original application September 19, 1929, Serial No. 393,761, now Patent No. 2,134,005, dated October 25, 1938.

Divided and this application August 31, 1938, Serial No. 227,671

43 Claims.

The present invention relates to telegraph systems and more particularly to telegraph systems wherein the apparatus is under the control of a previously prepared control strip.

The present application is a division of U. S. Patent No. 2,134,005, Serial No. 393,761 filed September 19, 1929, for Selective control system and apparatus.

A primary object of th present invention is to provide means for automatically controlling the sequence in telegraph transmission of successive code combinations of impulses relating to a complete message when a predetermined condition obtains in the control form or strip.

Another object of the invention resides in the control of transmission from a control strip by dual conditions established by the control strip and by a signal indicia therein,

In its contemplated embodiment, the invention may be concisely described as comprising tape transmitting apparatus including one or more record readers each having a set of feeler levers, which is successively presented to and withdrawn from tape supporting means between the record reader and a point from which the tape emerges such as the preparing machine, with a space interval between the two points at which th tape may form a loop. At predetermined points on the tape and preferably with respect to the message matter thereon a mark or index is applied for denoting the termination of each message. A pivotal switch controlling arm is presented so that its extremity may extend over the region occupied by the tape loop and so that the forshortening of the loop will cause the tape to engage the arm and rotate it about its pivot causing a contact operation to be effected for establishing a preparatory circuit. Th tape is permitted to proceed in accordance with the conventional operation of the record reader until the aforementioned predetermined mark or index arrives at the point of sensing by the feeler levers, whereupon a condition is established supplementing the preparatory circuit arresting advancement of the tape subject to a replenishment in its supply which will establish a loop in the tape and continue the operation.

For a more comprehensive understanding of the present invention, referenc may be had to the accompanying drawing and to the detailed specification following hereinafter wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout, and wherein Fig. 1 is' a diagrammatic circuit illustration of bodied therewith one form of the present invention,

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic circuit illustration of another form of the present invention as applied to a multiplex type of message transmitting assembly, and

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail view of a section of control from which illustrates the arrangement of special control perforations thereon.

In Fig. l a perforated tape ll, prepared by an automatic reperforating mechanism such as that indicated by the reference character III, is fed through the record reader unit of an automatic transmitter by means of the feed wheel I2, the teeth of which engage the central row of perforations in the tape H. The location of reper forator ill with respect to the transmitter record reader is such. as to afford an intervening space whereat the prepared tape may be permitted to accumulateto form a loop if the rate of tape preparation exceeds that of signal transmission. As transmission overtakes tape preparation the tape loop is consumed approaching a taut condition and lifting the slack probing arm 13 as will be explained later, It is manifest that the relative positioning of th tape senser and reperforator' of Fig. 1 is merely diagrainmatim Obviously, the units may be arranged so that the tape between them when taut assumes substantially a horizontal plane. Tape feed wheel I2 is. rotated in a step-by-step manner when a ratchet wheel I3 integrally associated with it on a common shaft is engaged during the successive reciprocable action of a tape feed pawl I4, the

latter being carried upon an arm l5, pivoted at l6 and moved by the bail rod II.

In operative relation with the perforations of the tape and positioned across the tape II are a set of individual feeler levers l8, I9, 2|, 22, 23, and 24. Said feeler levers are mounted on a common shaft 25 about which they are'urged in a counterclockwise direction under impetus of individual springs (not shown). Each feeler lever is provided with an individual feeler pin 26 which, when its associated lever is moved in a counterclockwise direction about pivot 25, engages a. position in the tape whereat there may or may not be a code perforation, depending, of course, upon the permutation characteristics of each signal code that is presented in the proximity of the feeler lever alignment for sensing. Each feeler lever l8, I9, etc., is also provided with a contact extension member or contactor 21 capable of engaging alternatively one or another a start-stop transmitting apparatus having emof a pair of contact points the upper ones of which are associated with a positive current circuit 28 and the lower ones with a negative current circuit 28.

Bail rod H, in addition to-being secured to the tape feed lever arm I5, is alsosecured to a power arm 8| and extends transversely across the top of the feeler levers I8, l8, etc., as conventionally illustrated in Fig, 1. Power arm 3| is itself pivoted at 32 and is influenced in a counter-clockwise (tape sensing) direction by a spring 33. A cam having a single apex is carried upon a shaft 35 which may be driven from any suitablesource of power. One such source is represented by the motor 38, which through a friction clutch 31 rotates the distributor brush arm 38, when the stop pawl 38 is withdrawn as a result of the energization of release magnet 4|. It is to be accepted that shaft ,35 is also driven through clutch 31 in any suitable manner and at the same speed in order that the arrestment of brush carrier 38 will at the same time suspend the rotation of shaft 35.

Circuits 28 and 29 mentioned above may be termed current supply circuits, each having associated with it a generator 42 or 44 for producing a current having an individual signalling characteristic, e. g. positive current generator 42 is shown connected over lead 43 with line 28 and a negative current generator 44 shown connected over a line 45 with circuit 29. When any of the contact extensions 21 are in engagement with their upper or lower contacts current is projected from current supply circuits 28 or 28 through such contact extensions 21 and their associated feeler levers l8, l9, etc., their individual distributor conditioning circuit 48 to the corresponding segments 41 of the distributor ring 52. When in the course of a distribution cycle, brush carrier 38 sweeps across said segments 41, its brushes 48 and 48 which are connected electrically together, cause to be projected the signal impulse conditions over the aforedescribed circuit paths through the distributor ring onto the signal transmission line.

Distributor ring 52 of which the aforedescribed segments 41 are a part, includes also the stop and start segments 53 and 54 in the manner of conventional start-stop distributors. Segment 53 which is the stop segment, is connected over a line 55 with the contactor 58 of a polar relay 51, while start-segment 54 is in a similar manner connected over a line 58 to the contactor 58 of a polar relay 8|.

In series with polar relays 51 and 8| is another polar relay 83 having an armature 84 which is connected to negative current supply source at 85. A periodically established circuit which extends through the relays 51, 8|, and 83 originates at ground which is connected through a distributor ring 88, thence through a pair of connected distributor brushes 81, a segment 88 of distributor ring 89 (when said brushes 81 are in the proper cyclic position), line 82 through the relays 83, 51, and 8|, in series, line H to the feeler lever |8 aforedescribed. Thereafter the circuit continues eitherover positive line 28 or negative line 28 depending upon whether feeler l8 encounters a perforation 12 or a non-perforated condition in the sixth hole position of the tape, Fig. 3, as will be described in detail later.

It is to be noted that the tape sensing apparatus in the instant embodiment comprises six feeler levers |8, |8, etc., already described,

though the perforated tape II is prepared in accordance with but a five-unit fundamental code as described in United States Patent No. 2,134,005 and as illustrated in Fig; 14 thereof. The sixth hole perforation 12, Fig. 3, is arranged to track in the longitudinal file in which the tape sensing lever I8 is operatively disposed. Particular 'attention is directed now to the tape slack arm 13 which is pivoted at 14 and which may be held in a horizontal position when manual detent pawl 18 engages a projection thereon. Except when so restrained, arm 13 by reason of its weight, seeks to assume a drooped or tilted position unless the tape ii is too taut to permit the necessary freedom, in which case the arm 18 will dwell upon the tape to whatever extent it may be permitted to do so. A contact arm 18 also is integrally associated with the arm 13. It engages a contact point ll, for-introducing negative at this point, during the time that the arm 13 is permitted to tilt or to assume its extreme clockwise position. A conductor 18 which is electrically associated with the contactor 18, extends from a right-hand contact point 18 of relay 83 to the contactor 18 of arm 13 and thereafter on through the winding of relay 4| to positive source at 8|. 5

Under ordinary operating conditions with sufficient slack in the tape between the reperforator i8 and the tape sensing unit to form a loop, as illustrated in Fig. 1, arm I3 may assume a drooping position, as illustrated in dotted outline. This condition will prevail so long as the amount of prepared tape is equal to or is in excess of the linear quantity of tape which passes through the tape sensing unit. When a condition obtains under which the supplied tape is less than thetape consumed during transmission, then the storage quantity, represented by the size of the loop, will correspondingly diminish. Eventually the loop in the tape will become sufllciently shortened so as to engage and lift the arm 13 to a level so as to withdraw contactor 18 from its contact point TI opening the circuit and removing negative supply thereat. The circuit 18 is not dependent solely upon this source of supply for negative current, for it will be recalled that at is another source under the control of polar relay 83. In the illustration of Figs. 1 and 2, the amount of angular movement described by the tape slack sensing arms I3 and I32 is illustrated at comparatively short range. This is so because there is contemplated in the specific illustration brief message matter of but few code combination signals. Where messages of larger proportion might be ,used the degree of movement of lever arms 13 and I32 will be correspondingly greater.

Negative current is supplied from source 85 during all times except at the start of a quotation message when feeler lever I8 is permitted to rock counterclockwise on account of encountering a perforation 12 in the tape Accordingly, the distributor brush carrier 38 is permitted to revolve continuously because of the continuous energization of magnet 4| except when negative is withdrawn at source 85 after having already been removed from source II. This condition will occur only after arm 13 has been lifted due to a taut condition of the tape followed by an end-of-message operation of relay 83 (due to the perforation 12) withdrawing its armature 84 from contact point 18.

It will be understood from the foregoing description that tape slack arm I3 may be rotated counterclockwise from its tilted position (in dotted outline) under the control of the tape. The extent of its movement thereafter will correspond to variable conditions but under no circumstance beyond the point at which the end-of-message perforation 12 is encountered by the sixth hole leeler lever I8. Since negative is supplied to line 18 from source 65 at all times except during the occurrence'of the end-of-message signal having the perforation 12, it will be understood that the control of distributor magnet M is at all times maintained by the supervisory relay 63' except upon the occurrence of said end-of-message signal. Under this recited exception the control is transferred from relay 63 to the mechanical relay or control arm 13. This is so because with the interruption of circuit 18 the tape advancing mechanism is arrested, since, as has been stated, it too is driven through clutch 31.

Being on the same control circuit as supervisory relay 63, relays 51 and EI also respond to the mechanical conditioning of the sixthhole fecler I8. Accordingly, their armatures 56 and 59, when no hole is encountered by-lever I8, will be attracted to their right-hand contact points 82 and 83 the latter being a part of negative current supply circuit 29 while the former is connected with the positive supply line 28. Armature 56 of relay 51 is connected over line 55 with the stop impulse segment 53 of distributor ring 52 imparting positive current thereto in all cases except when said relay 51 is operated in the special manner by feeler lever I8. Correspondingly, armature 59 is connected over line 58 with the start segment 54. Accordingly, negative will be supplied to the start segment 54 under all conditions when no hole is encountered by the feeler lever I8 and positive will be supplied under the said special condition.

Under the special condition, that is, when a hole is encountered by feeler lever I8 and when thereafter brushes 61 complete the circuit 62 to ground as aforedescribed, an opposite condition will prevail causing the relays 63, 51, and 6I to move their armatures 64, 56 and 59 toward the left-hand side. already been described, this will merely result in the opening of the circuit 18 but in the case of relays 51 and GI whose armatures 56 and 59 in both instances complete circuit conditions, there will result a reversal in polarity with circuit 29 connected to the stop segment circuit 55 and circuit 28 connected to the start segment circuit 58. Accordingly, start segment 53 and stop segment 54 being in their normal condition plus and minus current they will under the special cir- In the case of relay 63, as has cumstance be supplied minus and plus respectively.

The purpose in reversing the potentials of the start and stop segments is to afford a method for assuring correct orientation or phasing of the receiving apparatus distributor as more particularly explained and described in the parent application.

Multiplex transmitter Referring now to Fig. 2 the reference character 86 designates a standard four channel multiplex sending distributorsuch as is generally known in the telegraph art but modified in accordance with the present invention. Distributor 86 comprises a segmented ring 81 and a solid ring 88 companionate thereto, and the two bridged by a pair of brushes 89. The segments of ring 81 are twenty in number comprised of four groups of five segments each. Associated with the last three groups of segments on ,ring 81 are three standard telegraph transmitter units indicated 9I, 92, and 93. These units are illustrated diagrammatically in accordance with conventional practice. Each unit contemplates a tape sensing mechanism having a set of feeler levers of which the contactors are designated by the referencecharacters 94. Each set of contactors 94 is connected over individual cables comprising five lines 96 to its associated segments of ring 81. g I

Each transmitting unit is provided with a supervisory magnet 91 connected over an individual conductor 98 to an associated segment 99 on a segmented ring MI. The several segments 99 of ring I8I are bridged by a pair of brushes I82 with a solid ring I83, the latter being connected to the positive side of battery. The movement of brush I82 over the segments of ring I83 of any one of the transmitter units ill to 93 energizes the supervisory magnet 91 thereof over a circuit which includes the associated segment 99 on ring I8I Locating of each of said segments 99 just below the position of its associated set of signal impulse segments in ring 81 provides a conditionwhereby the tape sensing contacts may be prepared to be operated in accordance with a new code setting immediately after the transmission of the preceding code combination.

Referring now more particularly to the first five segments of ring 81 it will be noted that these are connected over the cable conductors I84 to the transmitter contacts I85 of the special transmitting unit I86. This unit has been modified from the conventional construction exemplified by the other three units by having included with it the pole changing relay I81, the starting relay I88, and the cam mechanism I89 which will be described more fully hereinafter. The feelers of transmitter I86 are operated so as to engage their upper or positive bus I14 or their lower or negative bus I63 in accordance with the perforations in a control tape III.

Bell crank I I2 pivoted at I I3 returns the feeler levers I85 against the influence of their individual operating springs (not shown) and with its other arm is in turn actuated by an armature II4 of a magnet II5. Magnet H5 is connected over conductor II6 to the make-before-break switch III. In addition to the five standard feeler levers I85, transmitter I86 is provided with another feeler lever III) which operates between an individual set of contact buses H9 and I2I under the control of a sixth perforation, such as that described in the above embodiment with Fig. 3. Feeler contact H8 is connected over line I22 with an armature I23, which, in turn, is under the supervision of the aforementioned pole changing relay I81.

The pole changing or synchonising relay I81 controls armature I23, as just described, as well as the armatures I24 and I25; the latter two operate to change the polarity of the contact plates I63 and I14 of the transmitter I86. When relay I81 is energized, the upper contact plate I14 becomes negative and the lower contact plate I63 positive, whereas,'when relay I81 is de-energized, the upper contact plate is positive and the lower contact plate negative. Armature I23, when de-energized, engages its back contact I26 extending positive current from plate II9 over the line I21. Circuit I21 extends through the winding of the starting relay I88, the opposite terminal of which is connected'to a negative current supply source.

A tape follower arm m, pivoted at as, controls a shunt circuit around the relay I3I comprising the conductors I34 and I35. The ener nected over a conductor I48 to-a segment I41 oi ring IOI.

During each cycle of the main cam I08, and before it encounters the make-before-break switch I39, it engages first the follower contactor I48. In so doing, it thrusts contactor I 48 against the contact point I48, completing a circuit for energizing the change-over relay I01 as follows: from positive current source through the contact point I48, contactor I48, line I'5I, winding of relay I01 to ground. As a result the changeover relay armatures I24 and I25 as well as is the armature I23, are pulled up causing, as in the case of the preferred embodiment, a reversal in the current characteristics of the start and stop impulses of a phasing signal code.

Key I54 is employed manually as a start key and controls the application of positive polarity to contactor I56 of conductor I21 from an auxiliary supply source I55.

manual start key I54 is operated to close its contactor I56 with contact point I55. This completes an obvious energizing circuit for start relay I 08 completing a locking circuit for itself over armature I51, and including positive current source contact I53, contactor I 52, line I58, armature I51, contact point I58, winding of relay I08 to negative battery. Also, armature I8I is drawn up closing with contact I62 and causing first to be completed an obvious circuit for energizing the record reader operating magnet II5, followed immediately by the opening of the circuit at line I11, including contact point II1.

As a result of the energization of the record reader magnet II5, its armature H4 is attracted, causing bell crank II2 to be rocked in a counterclockwise direction about its pivot H3 and withdrawing the feeler pins represented by the elements I05. Accordingly, all of the feelers I05 are held so as to establish electrical contact with their lower contact block or bus I83 and, with their feeler projections, withdrawn from engagement with the tape.

The distributor brushes 88 and I02 revolve continuously and at regulated speeds. As the brushes 88 move over the first five segments of ring 81, five impulses, originating from the negative side of battery at I65 conveyed through armature I25, line I and bus I83 are transmitted over the brushes 81 to the distributor ring 88 and thereafter through line I88, causing to be energized the polar transmitting relay I81 ac- To start operation, the driving motor (not shown) is energized and the cordingly. An armature I88, under the control over segment I41 and ring I03, completing an energizing circuit for the sequence switch magnet I45 as follows: from positive side of battery. through ring I03, brushes I02, segment I41, lines I13'and I48, winding of ma net I48 to ground. Stepping magnet I48, upon energization, attracts its armature I44 moving the operating pawl I43 to the right and rotating the ratchet wheel I42 and its integrally associated shaft I and cam I08 a like distance. In the instant embodiment, this movement corresponds to /7 of a revolution. Because relay I08 has been operated manually as described above, the circuit at contact point II1 will still be open. As the brushes 88 continue moving over the succeeding steps of five segments on ring 81, telegraph code combinations from the transmitters 8| to 83 are distributed over their corresponding sets of five segments in said ring 81, and following each code transmission from one of said transmitters, its individual magnet 81 is energized and de-energized 'as the brush pair I82 moves on and on its associated segments 88, conditioning the individual transmitter for the succeeding code to be transmitted.

The above cycles of operation are transmitted as magnet I45 is energized once during each revolution of the brushes of the distributor 88, the instant of energization being when brushes I02 encounter the segment I41. At the time when the apex of cam I08 engages the follower I48, however, positive polarity from source I48 over circuit I5I causes to be energized the change-over relay I01. This operation coincides with the seventh cycle of revolution and, as has already been explained, the energization of relay I01 causes to be reversed the characteristics of the electrical impulses of the seventh signal as a result of the operation of armatures I24 and I25.

In the distributor 88, each five segments, relating to a separate transmitter 3| to 83 etc., is commonly referred to as a channel and for the first channel, the brushes 88 -send to the signaling relay I81 five negative impulses in each revolution except in the recurrent seventh revolution, in which case five positive impulses are transmitted.

During the six regular revolutions of the distributor 88, the energizing circuit of signaling relay I61 extends from ground through the winding of relay I81, line I88, distributor ring 88, brushes 88, one of the cables 88 or I04, the electrical contacts of its five feelers; for example, in the case of the improved transmitter the feelers I05, and through those of said feelers which are down to the junction block I83, line I15, armature I25 and its back contact point I85 to negative battery. When pole changing relay I01 is energized, as the result of the advance of apex of cam I08, the latter portion of the just described circuits is altered because armature I25 is then 'in engagement with its front contact point I 18 introducing instead positive battery, as will be observed at this source. By this sequence of thirty pulses negative and five pulses positive, indefinitely repeated, the receiving equipment is brought into synchronism and made ready for operation in a manner described inthe parent application referred to above.

To start message transmission, correct phase having been attained as aforedescribed, the tape III is inserted in the transmitter with the first alignment of holes presented over the retracted feelers I05. The'key I54 then is opened and, at this instant, the brushes I02 may be found all in any positionpand the cam discs I09 may cor--v respondingly also be found'in any position. It

will be recalled that when brushes I02 encounter 'the segment I41, there is caused the energiza of impulses is transmitted.

tion of stepping magnet I45, and the resulting progress of said cam disc I09. v 1

Through the operation of the stepping magnet I45, cam I09, through its apex, causes the follower' I48 to make engagementwith its contact point I49. Thereafter, the same apex, encountering follower I 52, causes first engagement to be madebetween contact point I38 and contactor I53, following which the contact follower I52 is pulled away far enough to disengage itself from contact point I53, in the manner of conventional a circuit for energizing relay I3I. If at this time the tape is not taut, relay I3I will be shunted by the tape arm I32, engaging the contact point of line I34,- and this operation will have no eifect.

The locking circuit for relay I08 is also opened 7 at this instant by the apex of cam I09 and for controls the startingrof transmission as follows:

Upon the de-energization of relay I08, armature I6I, thereof, permits the make-before-break switch II1I62 to close connecting the stepping magnet II to the wire I11. Meanwhile, the brushes I02, having passed from segment I41,

cause magnets H5 and I45 to become de-energized. This permits the feelers I05 to move into the perforation of the tape III impressing positive or negative polarity upon their several conductorsof cable I04, and at the same time armature I44 together with its articulated pawl is free the feeler I 05. Immediately thereafter, the' brushes I02 rotate over segment I41, energizing the stepping magnet I45, over conductors I13' and I46 and the tape controlling magnet II5 through the make-before-break switch II1.

' Energization of the stepping magnet I45 will step the cam disc I09 to its next angular position by which the locking circuit for the relay I08 is again prepared by the restoration of the makebefor'e-break switch I52-I53. Energization of the tape control magnet I I5 will operate its lever arm H4 and through the bell crank II2 will move all of the feelers I05 out of engagement with the tape III and will, at the same time, cause stepping of the tape to present a new set of perforations in the manner which has already standard (without the end-of-mesage hole 12) uniform telegraph code over the line I12. When, however ,vthe brushes 89 return to the position shown, the .next succeeding stock quotation code This cycle of operation is now repeated, a code of five impulses being transmitted over one channel of the distributorby the modified transmitter stepped from position to position until finally its apex operates the cam follower I48. An energizing circuit is thereupon completed for the relay I01 which operates its armatures I24 and I25 15 to engage their front contacts which thereupon make-before-break contact operation. Engagement between contacts I38 and I53 completes ingly comprises transposed impulses which are negative and positive, instead of their standard arrangement of positive and negative. During the transmission of the seventh code of a cycle, the armature I23 of relay I01 opens the line I22 and prevents the contact H9 and its feeler H8 from operatingthe relay I08. this reason relay I08 will be de-energized.' This 5 lay I3I. This may have no immediate eifect, but

when, thereafter, the apex of cam I09 operates the follower I52, then make-before-break switch I38I53 is closed, completing an energizing circuit for therelay I3I which thereupon energizes and causes its armature I29 to engage its'front contact I19. As a result an energizing circuit is completed for the relay I08 traceable from posi-,

tive at I28, through armature I29, its front contact I19, line I8I, line I21, through the winding 40 of relay I08 to negative battery. Relay I08 at once prepares its locking circuit aforedescribed, but this circuit is not completed instantly due to the fact that the follower I52 is disengaged from its contact. I53. As a result of the pulling up of armature I6 I at this time, however, relay H5 is energized though removed from supply line I13 because of the plus batteries supplied directly by armature I 0|. Magnet II 5, upon energization, operates the armature H4 and lever arm H2 withdrawing the feelers I05.

The stepping magnet I45 is periodically energized as the brushes I02 move over segment I41 and, accordingly, this magnet continues to move the disc 'cam I09 in step-by-step manner. 0n

for relay I 08 is completed and the circuit of relay I3I is opened at the follower I48. The relay I08 remains in an energized condition and prevents ,further stepping of the tape until the cam I09 been described, i has stepped to the position at which the follower After the brushes I02 move off the segmen I41, stepping magnet I45 and the. record reader magnet II5 are again de-energized. Magnet I45,

" upon de-energization, allows its pawl I43 to enthe segments associated with the standard ,tele-. a graph transmitters, transmi ti g, therefore, 75 cuit I34, and the by-pass for relay I3I is thereby I52 is again operated. Meanwhile, should the tape follower arm I32 be lifted, then when the locking circuit of relay I08 is opened and the energizing circuit for relay I3I closed, the circuit through said relay I3I will continue the energization of relay I08. The receiver is then in condition to receive the first of .the letter code combinations at thebeginning of operation and, by

the automatic phase correction described above.

6 again completed, then, when cam I09 comes into position where the follower I48 is again operated,

the locking circuit for relay I08 is opened. Relay IJI is de-energized and the transmitter is again -in condition for reoperation.

,In the event that the tapeis out of proper phase relation with the cam disc I09, and distributor 88, the tape will be prevented from operation. Thus, for example, assuming that the tape is out of such phase relation andthat the feeler II8 moves to contact its block ,I I9 at an instant when the cam I09 has not rotated into the position which indicates a sixth pulse or last code of a cycle. In that event no energizing circuit will be completed for the relay I01 by the follower I48, for the reason that cam I09 will not be in engagement therewith. As a result, the circuit will be completed from positive battery over the contacts block II9, tape feeler II8, ,to the armature I 23, and its back contact conductor I21, winding of relay I08 to minus battery. Relay I08 closes the lockingcircuit for itself beginning at minus battery and extending through its winding, contact point I59, armature I5], line I58, contactor I52, and contact point I59 to plus battery. At armature I6I, relay I08 completes an energizing circuit for the record reader operating magnet II5, as has already been described. The continued energization of magnet II5 positions the tape with the perforations of the first code of a subsequent message presented above the retracted feelers I05. The record reader is withheld from further operation until the cam I09 has moved to operate the follower contact I52, efl'ecting a de-energization of relay I08. when this occurs, the original energizing circuit for the relay also being open at the tape feeler I32, relay I08 becomes de-energized. The tape is now in proper phase relation with the'cam I09 and the distributor 86 in order to obtain proper transmis sion. 0

While the foregoing description has been explained and illustrated in the accompanying drawing in contemplation of specific embodiments, it will be understood nevertheless that numerous changes and modifications may be made within the spirit or scope thereof without departing from the present invention. Accordingly, the patentable scope is to be construed not in accordance with the specific details but rather within the spirit of the hereunto appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a telegraph system, a telegraph circuit, means to transmit over said circuit a series of groups of code signals representative of a message, and automatic means to stop the transmitting means only after all groups of code signals representative of a message have been transmitted.

2. In a telegraph system, a telegraph circuit, means controlled by a tape for transmitting code signals over said circuit, and means for stopping said transmitting means under the joint control of a slack in said tape and of a predetermined index in the tape.

3. In a telegraph system, a storage device, means to store in said device signals representing a succession of messages, means to transmit the signals stored in said device, meansto stop the operation of the transmitting means when the number of signals stored is below a predetermined minimum, and means to prevent the stopping means from becoming effective until the transmission 'of an entire message has been completed.

4. In a telegraph system, a record reader re- .sponsive to indicia in a control strip, means to advance said strip for subjecting its indicia to said record reader, means to transmit signals in accordance with said indicia, means controlled by the strip for conditioning a stopping means, and means controlled by a predetermined index in the strip to stop theadvancement of said tape for subsequent operation.

5. In a telegraph system, a record reader responsive to successive groups of perforations in a control strip, means to advance said strip for subjecting successive groups of perforations to said record reader, means to transmit signals in accordance with each group of perforations, means controlled by a predetermined perforation in the strip to stop the advancement thereof, and means operated in response to a general'condition of said strip for preparing said stopping means for subsequent operation.

6. In a telegraph system, a signaling line, a tape transmitter in communication with said line including means to transmit a series of groups of code signals representative of units of information each comprising a number of characters, and means automatically responsive to a predetermined condition collateral to said code signals following the transmission of a complete unit-of information for arresting said transmitter.

7. In a telegraph system, a record reader responsive to codes in a control strip, means to advalnce the control strip through said record reader for subjecting said codes to said record reader in succession, means to transmit signals in accordance with each code,.means controlled by a condition of the strip to prepare the arrest of said tape advancing means, and means controlled by a further condition of said strip for determining the stopping position of said advancing means.

8. A record reader mechanism including means for feeding a control form having signal perforations step-by-step for successively presenting said perfections, means controlled by the form and responsive to a predetermined perforation for suspending said form advancing means, and means controlled by a condition of said form collateral to said signal perforations for conditioning said suspending means. I

9. In a record reader responsive to the codes in a control form, means to sense the codes in succession, a device to control the operation of the record reader, means controlled by the form at times unrelated to. the time at which a preselected perforation is being sensed to precondition said control device for operation, and means also controlled by the form but operative subsequently and at times definite with respect to that at which preselected codes are being sensed to render said device efl'ective.

10. In a tape controlled mechanism, a record reader responsive progressively to the perforations in a tape which appear in groups of predetermined number and conclude with a predetermined concluding index, apparatus for actuating said record reader, a preconditioning mechanism for permitting the operation of said apparatus under the control of the tape, and means associated with said apparatus responsive to the concluding index and to said preconditioning mechanism for stopping said record reader.

11. In a transmitter controlled by a tape carrying groups of code perforations, means to transmit code signals according to the successive groups of code perforations, a control device adapted to stop and start the transmission of code signals, means controlled by the tape to pre-- condition said control device for operation, and means controlled by preselected-perforation in the tape to render said device effective to stop the transmission and. responsive to other impetus to subsequently restart the transmission.

12. In a control form sensing apparatus, a set of sensing elements, actuating means for withdrawing said elements intermittently from said form and for there-after permitting said elements to engage said form, and means effective at predetermined multipled periods for suspending the operation of said actuating means under the control of a physical attribute of said form.

13. In a tape sensing mechanism, a plurality of tape sensing elements, a tape advancing apparatus, and means under the control of a taut condition of a tape for disabling said tape sensing and advancing mechanism and apparatus at predetermined places inthe tape.

' 14. In a tape controlled device, an intermittently operative tape advancin apparatus, a tape sensing element operated by said apparatus for seeking out a control index in said tape, means operative to arrest said apparatus after a predetermined number of operations, and controlled by said sensing element to reinstate th operative condition of said apparatus.

15. A tape controlled apparatus including a set of feeler for sensing code perforations in a tape, a feeler for sensing another physical condition of a tape, a tape advancing mechanism, a disabling device for said mechanism, and means under the control of said condition sensing feeler for preparing for subsequent operation said dise abling device.

16. In a control form sensing apparatus, a record reader, means operative periodically and independent of a control form to prepare said record reader for interruption, and means responsive to a physical attribute of a control form to consummate said interruption.

17. In combination, a record reader mechanism, intermittently operative means for advancing a control form through a sensing area in said mechanism, a periodically prepared device for interrupting said record reader mechanism, and a sensing element responsive to a physical condition of the control form for completing the interruption of said mechanism.

18. In a tape controlled apparatus, an auto-arresting device including a signal sensing mechanism, a tape supply sensing mechanism, and an interrupter conditioned by said supply sensing mechanism and operated by said signal sensing mechanism.

19. In a telegraph system, means to transmit a series of signals, an arresting device, mean independent of the signals to partially condition said arresting device, and means eifective only when predetermined signals are being transmitted to execute the operation of said arresting device.

20. In a telegraph system, continuously operable transmitting means adapted to transmit a plurality of character signals in a single cycle, means for originating the character of signal to be transmitted, means to render said originating means inefiective, means to condition said originating means for effectiveness, and means to insure the initiation of said originating means during correct phase position only.

21. In a telegraph system, continuously operating transmitting means, a tape having successively arranged signals, means to advance the tape from signal to signal, and apparatus for reventing the initiation of said advancing means except during proper phase relationship between said tape and said transmitting means.

22. In a telegraph system, a transmitting distributor, a switching device moved step by step through one cycle during a plurality of cycles of the distributor, a tape transmittin device, means to move the tape in said device one step for each step of the switch, and means to arrest the tape moving means when the tape reache a predetermined position until the switch is stepped to a corresponding predetermined position.

23. In a synchronous multiplex telegraph system, a multiplex transmitter, tape sensing apsensing apparatus, means to condition said tape sensing apparatus for operation, and means to initiate said tape sensing apparatus into operation only when said multiplex transmitter is in a particular one of its positions in a cycle.

25. In a multiplex telegraph system, a multiplex distributor having a plurality of rotations to each cycle of operation, a record reader, means for preparing said record reader for operation, and means to initiate said record reader into operation during a particular one of said plurality of rotations of said multiplex distributor.

26. In combination, a tape sensing apparatus for perforated tape having successions of code perforations in message groups, including apparatus for'testing the tape for suiiiciency of length, a power source for actuating the tape sensing apparatus under part supervision of said testing apparatus, and a device responsive to the termination of a message to augment said supervision and withhold said power source from said tape sensing apparatus.

27. In a record reader, an apparatus in continuous operation during signal code transmission, means for arresting the operation of said apparatus, a slack tape sensing device for conditioning said arresting means, and apparatus responsive to the termination of a message for operating said arresting means.

28. In an automatic transmitter, a supervisory apparatus under the control of taut or slack condition in a tape, and means responsive to the characteristics of matter transmitted for suspending the effectiveness of said apparatus until prearranged periods in the transmission are at-.

tained.

29. A telegraph system comprising a signal storage unit, a transmitter controlled thereby, means for storing character signals in the storage unit and means jointly responsive to the number of stored signals in said unit and to a predetermined selective operation of the transmitter for stopping the transmitter.

30. A telegraph system comprising a signal storage unit, a transmitter controlled thereby, means for storing groups of character signals in said storage unit and means to automatically groups of signals.

31. A telegraph system comprising means for storing permutation code signals representing intelligence characters and a special control signal, a transmitter controlled by said storing means to repeat the signals, and means responsive to said special control signal for stopping the transmitter.

32. A telegraph system comprising means for storing a continuous series of intelligence character code signals during a predetermined period of operation, a transmitter controlled by said storing means to repeat the. signals and means operative before the ends of said series of signals but only between groups of signals for stopping the transmitter.

33. In a market quotation system, means for storing a continuous series of permutation code signals representing letter and figure characters formin two or more unspaced quotations, a transmitter controlled thereby to repeat said signals and means operative during said series only at the end of a quotation for stopping said transmitter.

34. In a market quotation system, a transmitter, signal storage means for controlling said transmitter to send quotations consisting of letter characters and figure characters and means including said storage means for stopping said transmitter as the transmitter shifts to a letter character from a figure character.

35. A telegraph system comprising a tape, a transmitter controlled thereby, means for recording unspaced groups of code signals representing intelligence characters on said tape and means for stopping the transmitter when the number of recorded signals on the tape between the transmitter and the recording means drops below a predetermined number, said means for stopping the transmitter being only operative at the end of a group of recorded signals being sent by said transmitter.

36. In an automatic transmitter, a control form advancing mechanism, a control form sensing mechanism, mean controlled partially by said form sensing mechanism to interrupt the operation of said form advancing mechanism, and means to restart said form advancing mechanism into operation independently of control by said form sensing mechanism.

37. In an automatic telegraph transmitter, apparatus for sensing the perforations in a control form, apparatus for advancing a control form, means under the supervision of said control form sensing apparatus to stay the operation of said form advancing apparatus, and means to restart start and stop the transmitter only between the r said form advancing apparatus independent of control by said form sensing apparatus.

38. In an automatic telegraph transmitter, a control form sensing mechanism, signal transmitting means, apparatus controlled partially by said sensing mechanism to interrupt the operation of said signal transmitting means, and apparatus independent of said form sensing mechanism to restart the operation of said signal transmitting means.

39. In an automatic telegraph transmitter, a control form sensing mechanism, signal transmitting means, apparatus controlled by said sensing mechanism to interrupt the operation of said signal transmitting means, and apparatus independent of said form sensing mechanism to restart the operation of said signal transmitting means.

40. In an automatic telegraph transmitter, a sensing mechanism controllable by a tape having successively thereon groups of perforations representing a correspondin series of character signals, means controlled by said sensing mechanism in response to perforations predeterminedly located in a tape to arrest the operation of said sensing mechanism, and means controlled independently of said sensing mechanism to thereafter restart the operation of said sensing mechamsm.

41. In an apparatus for transmitting telegraph signals automatically, means for sensing code perforations in a tape, a source of power for operating said sensing apparatus, magnetically controlled means to couple said source of power and said sensing apparatus, and an energizing circuit for said magnetic coupling means including in series a contact pair responsive to said tape sensing apparatus and a contact pair under the supervision of means independent of said tape sensing apparatus.

42. In a signaling system, a tape transmitter apparatus including means responsive to code perforations in a tape for accordingly transmitting permutations of electrical impulses over a line, and means responsive to auxiliary perforations in a tape to arrest the operation of said transmitting means.

43. In a. signal transmitting system, an automatic tape supervised apparatu including means for generating electrical impulses in accordance with code perforation groupings in a tape, and means to arrest the operation of said automatic tape supervised apparatus in response to auxiliary perforations in a tape having invariably predetermined positions of location with respect to said code perforations.

LOUIS M. PO'I'I'S.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,292,1 0h. August 11, 19h2.

LOUIS M. PO'I'TS.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 6, second column', line 51;, claim 7, for "advalnce" read --advance--; page 7,

first column, line 29, claim 1b., after "and" insert -means--; and that the Said Letters P n should be read with this correction therein thatthe same may confonn to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 15th day of October, A. D. 1914.2.

Henry Van Arsgiele (Seel) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

